Postage metek loading mechanism



P 1950 c. D. RYAN ET AL "2,521,749

POSTAGE METER LOADING MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTORS mmod'ore D. Ryan l award fiDrarlie Sept. 12, 1950 c. D. RYANET AL 2,521,749

POSTAGE METER LOADING MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 2life ATTORNEYS P 1950 c. D. RYAN ET AL I 2,521,749

POSTAGE METER LOADING MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1944 l2 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR I Commodorefi. Ryan Edward R Din/Te ATTORNE Sept. 12, 1950 c.D. RYAN ETAL POSTAGE METER LOADING MECHANISM 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledJune 16, 1944 .INVENTORS C'Omzrzodare .27. .Ryan Edward RDralz'eATTORNEYS p 1950 c. D. RYAN ET AL 2,521,749

POSTAGE METER LOADING MECHANISM I Filed June 16, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 6INVENTORS omznoaore D. Ryan Edward 1? Brake I /29 kwmw fl ATTORNEYSSept. 12, 1950 c. D. RYAN ET AL 2,521,749

POSTAGE METER LOADING MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 Il III @W INVENTORS Commodore 17. Ryan E'da/ard Abra/2e ATTORN EYS 12Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR 07 w a v/77 ATTORNEYS C D RYAN ET AL POSTAGE METERLOADING MECHANISM Sept. 12, 1950 Flled June 16, 1944 p 1950 c. D. RYANET AL 2,521,749

POSTAGE METER LOADING MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 YP 1 {i gall/M 1% ATTORNEYS Sept 1950 c. D. RYAN ET AL I 2,521,749

POSTAGE METER LOADING MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 1109 3 Gag/93096 3/1 59 INVENTORS Comnwdore D. Ryan Edward R Draii'e l2Sheets-Sheet 12 C. D. RYAN ET AL POSTAGE METER LOADING MECHANISM Sept.12, 1950 Filed June 16, 1944 IVENTORS Commodore D. Ryan Edu/ard P 171%@6114 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 12, 1950 POSTAGE METER LOADING MECHANISMCommodore D. Ryan and Edward P. Drake, Los

Angeles, Calif., assignors to Commercial Controls Corporation, acorporation of Delaware Application June 16, 1944, Serial No. 540,727

27 Claims. (Cl. 235-101) This invention relates to a loading device forthe meter of a metered mailing machine.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple, practical,and thoroughly durable loading device. Another object is to provide adevice of the above character which may be economically manufactured.Another object is to provide a device of the above character which maybe readily loaded by the post oiiice and then the load therein readilytransferred by the user to the register of a meter. Another object is toprovide a device of the above character including efficient andpractical devices to prevent unlawful tampering therewith. Anotherobject is to provide a device of the above character which will be lightin weight and thus readily carried to and from a post oifice. Anotherobject is to provide a device of the above character which may beoperated to produce a permanent record of the amount loaded into themeter. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed outhereinafter.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, as will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the variouspossible embodiments of this invention,

Figure l is a perspective view of a meter having the loading devicemounted thereon;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the loading device;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the meter and loading device, the meterhaving certain parts removed for purposes of clarification and theloading device having its outer casing removed;

Figure 3A is a vertical section taken on the line (ta-3a of Figure 3;

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of certain portions of the loading device;

Figure 5 is a staggered vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure3;

Figure 5A is a horizontal section taken on the line 5A-5A of Figure 5;

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 65 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a staggered plan view of the loading device and the portionof the meter operated by the loading device taken on the line l-l ofFigure 3, certain parts having been removed for purposes ofclarification;

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a staggered horizontal section of a portion of the meter andthe loading device taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of certain parts on the meter operatedby the loading device;

Figure 11 is a front elevation of the loading device with the casingremoved;

Figure 11A is a front elevation of a portion of the loading device, someparts having been removed for purposes of clarification;

Figures 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E are front elevations of the lower portionof the loading device showing certain parts in different relativepositions.

Figure 12 is a vertical section taken on the line l2-l2 of Figure 3;

Figure 13 is a vertical section taken on the line i3l3 of Figure 3;

Figure 14 is a section taken through one of the positioning pins on linel4l4 of Figure 13;

Figures 15 and 16 are vertical sections of the loading device, similarto Figure 13, certain parts being shown in difierent relative positionsin each figure;

Figure 17 is a side elevation of the loading device taken from the rightof the loading device as viewed in Figure 3;

Figure 17A is a horizontal section of the transfer shaft of the loadingdevice taken on the line I'lA-ilA of Figure 17;

Figure 17B is a view of a portion of Figure 1'7, the parts being indifferent relative positions;

Figure 18 is a vertical section of the loading device taken on the linelt|8 of Figure '7;

Figure 18A is a vertical section taken on the line l8A-i3A of Figure1'7.

Figure 19 is a horizontal section taken on the line iii-iii of Figure18;

Figure 20 is a staggered vertical section of the loading device taken onthe line 20-20 of Figure 18;

Figure 20A is a plan view of one of the raised digits on a counterwheel;

Figure 2013 is a section taken through an impression wheel and theraised digit shown in Figure 20A along the line EBB-20B;

Figure 21 is a vertical section of a portion of the loading device takenon the line 2i'2l of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a vertical section of certain portions of the loadingdevice taken on the line 22-22 of Figure 20;

Figure 23 is a vertical section of the loading device taken on the line23-23 of Figure 3;

Figure 24 is a vertical section taken on the line 2424 of Figure 17B;

Figure 25 is a vertical section taken on the line 25-25 of Figure 17B;

Figure 26 is a top plan view of the meter showing the printing apparatusin printing position, certain portions of the meter being removed forpurposes of clarification; and,

Figure 27 is a vertical section taken on the line 2121 of Figure 26.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawmgs.

In general, the loading device consists of mechanism detachably mountedon the meter of a metered mailing machine. The meter is of a typecontrolled by a register which automatically locks the meter when thesupply of postage set onthe register is exhausted. The register controlsthe operation of the meter through any of the zero locks now in use onthis ty e of meter. As a rule the register is of the descending type andeach of the higher counter wheels are provided with notches into whichfeeler fingers move when all of the notched counter wheels are in Zeroposition. The feeler fingers are connected by suitable mechanism to themain drive shaft of the meter, so that when the feeler fingers move intothe notches in the counter wheels the mechanism locks the meter againstfurther operation. This mechanism is not shown as it may be found in anyof the meter patents in this art and any type of zero lock may be usedin conjunction with the mechanism to be described hereinafter. Mechanismof this type is shown in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,371,070. In use, theloading device is taken to a post office where it is set or loaded withthe amount of postage purchased. The loading device is then mounted onthe meter and the loaded amount is transferred from the loading deviceto the register of the meter. After the meter is loaded, it is'unlockedby mechanism on the loading device, and then the meter may be-operated.Whenever the loading device is detached from the meter, the meter islocked against operation. Thus, each time the loading device is used,the available amount of postage in the meter is increased by the amountpurchased by the user for the loading device. Accordingly, the loadingdevice permits the user to increase the supply of postage in his meterat will without taking the meter to the post ofiice.

It might here be noted that reference hereinafter to a forward directionsignifies a direction toward the printing head it (Figure 1) from themeter handle support while the term rearward denotes a directionopposite thereto. An inward direction refers to a direction from theloading device 33 in Figure 1 transversely across the meter 3|, whereasthe term "outward denotes the opposite direction. An upward directionrefers to a direction upwardly from the bottom of the meter to its top,while a downward direction is opposite thereto. When the above terms arereferred to hereinafter in describing the loading device, the terms willbe applied as through the loading device were mounted on the meter asshown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the loading device, generallyindicated at 39 (Figure 1), is mounted on a meter, generally indicatedat 3|, similar to that shown and described in Patent No. 2,371,070, forMail Treating Machine. The housing 32 of the loader (Figures 1 and 2)includes a top, bottom, and three side walls, and fits over the loadingdevice so that the edge of the open side thereof fits the edge of a faceplate 33. The housing 32 is secured to the face plate 33 by screws (notshown) which are sealed to prevent removal of the housing and thustamper ing with the loading device. The loading device is detachablymounted in the upper rear left-hand corner of the meter, as viewed inFigure 1, with its face plate 33 (Figure 2) facing the side wall of themeter. A supporting plate 34 (Figures 3 and 13) is secured to theframework of the meter by screws 35 and carries a pair of positioningpins 36 and 31 diagonally positioned thereon. These pins extendoutwardly from the meter at right angles to plate 34.

Positioning pins 36 and 31 enter socket assemblies, generally indicatedat 38 and 33 (Figures 3, ll, 13, and 14), which are mounted on andextend outwardly from face plate 33. These socket assemblies aresubstantially similar in construction, each being actuated by itsrespective positioning pin as the loading device is mounted to conditionthe socket assemblies so that a locking platagenerally indicated at 4|!(Figure 16), can be rotated in a counterclockwise direction to lock theloading device to the positioning pins (Figure 13) and thus to themeter. Referring to Figure 14, in which the action of positioning pin 3!on socket assembly 38 is shown, the socket assembly includes an innershell, generally indicated at 4|, the left end of which, as viewed inthis figure, is secured in a hole 42 in face plate 33. The innerdiameter of shell 4| is slightly greater than the diameter ofpositioning pin 31. A tubular sleeve 43, which is slidably mounted onshell 41 for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, has a pin 44'extending between and secured to its side-walls. This pin moves inlongitudinal slots Ma and 4| b extending inwardly from the outer end ofshell 4|;

A- plug 45 (Figure 14), positioned in the outer end of shell 4|, issecured to shell 4| by a pin 46. A spring 41, acting between plug 45 andpin 44, resiliently urges pin 44' and thus sleeve 43 inwardly toward themeter. Movement in this direction is limited by sleeve 43 abuttingagainst face plate 33. When positioning pin 31 enters the socketassembly 33, its outer end strikes pin 44 and thus moves sleeve 43outwardly against the compression spring 41. When pin 31 is seated inshell 4|, sleeve 43 has been moved outwardly a sufficient distance touncover slots 48 and 49 cut in shell 4|. These slots register with slots50 and 5 tin positioning pin 31.

The construction of socket assembly 39 (Figures 3 and 13) and pin 36 issubstantially similar to socket assembly 38 with the exception thatthere is only a single slot in the inner shell of socket assembly 39 anda single slot 52 (Figure 13) in positioning pin 36. The slot in shell39a is positioned adjacent face plate 33 (Figure 3) and registers withslot 52 when the socket assembly is conditioned by positioning pin 36.

When the loading device is mounted on pins 36 and 31, socket assemblies38 and 39 are conditioned to coact' with locking plate 40 to lock theloading device to the meter. The body of plate 40 is flat, is pivotallymounted on face plate 33 by a pivot pin 53, and is manually moved byfinger piece 51' (Figures 2 and 16). Referring to Figure 15 as lockingplate 4|] is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, the leading edges54 and 55- on the outer portions of the plate pass into the slot 49 ofsocket assembly 38 and the corresponding slot in socket assembly 39 andthe slots in pins 36 and 37 in registry therewith. At the same time, anarm 56 (Figures 11 and 16), which extends outwardly from and thencontinues parallel to plate ll], passes through the outer slot 48(Figure 14) in shell GI and the outer slot 5| in pin 3'1. Thus, when theloading device is mounted on the positioning pins, the positioning pinscondition the socket assemblies to open slots therein and expose slotsin the positioning pins. Then the locking plate M is turned in acounterclockwise direction and portions of the locking plate and armthereon pass through the slots in the socket assembly shells andpositioning pins, thus securely locking the loading device to the meter.

Locking plate M3, in addition to its locking function, acts as a shutterto cover a hole 58 (Figures 2 and 16) in face plate 33 when the plate 40is in its unlocked position (Figure 16). When the plate 49 is moved to aposition in which it looks the loading device to pins 3'5 and 3'5(Figure 13), hole 58 is uncovered. As will be fully describedhereinafter, a key shaft moves inwardly through hole 53 into the meterduring conditioning of the meter before a load can be transferred fromthe loading device. Thus the operation of the key shaft is contingentupon moving the locking plate it to a locked position where it does notblock hole 58.

The mechanism of the loading device is mounted on two side walls,generally indicated at 59 and 60 (Figures 1'7, 18 and 20), which areconnected by spacing rods it, i l,- and i5 (Figures 1'7, 18, and 23).The main portion of side wall Gil (Figure 17) is positioned in avertical plane at right angles to face plate 33 (Figure 18). The upperportion of side wall (iii (Figure 17) has 2 forwardly extending portionGila, and then the side wall extends upwardly adjacent the inner andouter ends of portion ii-fia (Figure 7) to form ears 60b and 690. EarBill) has a portion Blid which extends rearwardly at right angles to ear6%, and this portion of the side wall is secured to face plate 33 by anut and stud bolt, generally indicated at 6 l.

The main portion of side wall 59 (Figure 17) is parallel to side wallBit and its upper portion 59a extends rearwardly. A pair of ears 5% and58c (Figures '7 and 17) extend upwardly from the rearwardly extendingportion 59a. Ear the (Figure 7) has a portion 59d extending forwardly atright angles to ear 590 which is connected to face plate 33 by a nut andstud bolt, generally indicated at 82. As is best shown in Figures 11 and18, another ear E3 is formed on side wall iii] extending at right anglesthereto from the inner edge thereof. This ear is connected to face plate33 by a nut and stud bolt, generally indicated at 84 (Figure 11). Thusside wall 693 is connected to face plate 33 at two points; side welltell is con nected to face plate 33 at one point, and the upper portionsof the side walls extend forwardly and rearwardly and then both extendupwardly to form a seat for printing apparatus to be describedhereinafter.

A counter wheel shaft 55 (Figures 18 and 20) extends between side walls5i; and iii! and its rear end has a reduced portion 85b journaled inside wall 59. lihe other end of the shaft is mounted on a pin 81 securedto side wall Gil which extends into a bore @Ed in the end of shaft Q35.A. sleeve 69 freely mounted on shaft $5 has a series of counter wheels$6, 6?, and 68 mounted thereon. Counter wheel 68 includes a gear 68a, a

counter wheel disc 68b, a Geneva sliding disc G580, a Geneva carry-overdisc 68d, and a locking disc 686. An annular flange 650 extendsoutwardly in a radial plane from shaft 65 adjacent side wall 60 (Figure20) and this flange, gear 68a counter wheel disc 58?), Geneva slidingdisc 68c, carry-over disc tied, and locking disc 68c are rivetedtogether by a series of rivets, one of which is shown at it]. Thuscounter wheel assembly 63 is connected through flange 650 to shaft 65.

Counter wheel assembly (5i includes a transfer gear Eila, counter wheeldisc Gib, Geneva sliding disc file, a Geneva carry-over disc 67d, andlocking disc 676 which are connected together to form a unit by rivets,such as rivet l i. Counter wheel Bl is freely mounted on sleeve 69permitting rotational movement of this counter wheelwith respect toshaft 65. Counter wheel 66 includes a gear lite, a counter wheel disc88b, and a locking disc 660. The discs of this assembly are also securedtogether by a rivet 66d and this counter wheel is also freely mounted onsleeve (-39 to permit rotational movement of the counter wheel withrespect to shaft (is. A pair of ratchet Wheels l2 and 13 are mounted onshaft 65 between counter wheel 6% and side wall 5? (Figures 20, 21, and22). and lta formed thereon which fit into a keyway tit-e in shaft (55.

A spur gear 75 (Figure 20) having its hub 15a secured to an extension ofshaft 65 by a tapered pin it, meshes with a gear 'i'l (Figures 3, 17,and 17A) secured to the rear end of a transfer pinion shaft W by atapered pin l9. Transfer pinion shaft '88 is journaled in side walls 59and '69 (Figure 17A) and has three pinions 8t, 85, and 36, and a sleeveBl rotatably mounted thereon. Shaft 78 is manually turned by a handle Bl(Figures 11, 17, and 17A) secured to its forward end. The hub am of thehandle has lots therein to accommodate a pin 83 extending through shaft"iii. A screw 82 passing through the hub of handle Si and threading intothe end of shaft 78 mounts the handle on the forward end of shaft 18 inengagement with pin 83. Thus as handle 81 is turned, shaft '58 (Figures3 and 1'?) drives spur gear '55 through gear ll. As spur gear l5 (Figure20) is connected to shaft (it, counter wheel 68 and ratchet wheels l2and it turn with gear 75. Thus turning handle 3i drives counter wheel 68and ratchet wheels l2 and T3.

As described hereinabove, counter wheel 68 (Figure 17) is driven byhandle 86 through shaft '58, gear ll, gear l5, shaft 65, and flange 650(Figure 20). Each time counter wheel 68 (Figure 17 makes a completerevolution, the Geneva carry-over disc 63d thereof acts through transferpinion 85 to move counter wheel Bl one digit. Each time counter wheel61? makes a complete revolution, its Geneva carry-over disc tld actsthrough transfer pinion fit to move counter wheel @6 one digit. As thetransfer from counter wheel $8 to counter wheel 61 by transfer pinion 85and from counter wheel 5? to counterwheel 66 by transfer pinion 86 issubstantially the same, detailed description wil be limited to thetransfer of digits from transfer assembly til to transfer assembly 56.

Transfer pinion 86 (Figures 17 and 173) has eight teeth (Figure 25).Alternate teeth (Figures 1713 and 2d) of this transfer pinion are cutback so as to clear the edge of Geneva sliding disc tic. The carry-overdisc (i'ld (Figure 25) is of a smaller diameter than disc 61c and therighthand edges of cut back teeth 86a, as viewed in These wheels havekeys 12a,

Figure 173, extend over carry-over disc 61d. The Geneva drive includes anotch 89 (Figures 1713 and 24) cut in the sliding disc 61c and a pair ofteeth 96 and 9| (Figures 173 and 25) which are in registry with notch89. As discs 61c and 61d turn, two full-length teeth 86a (Figure 2e)slide on disc 670. This looks transfer pinion 36 against rotation. Atthe end of a revolution, tooth 9! on disc 61d strikes one of thecut-back teeth 86?) (Figure 25). Pinion 86 is then turned one quarter ofa turn because the full-length tooth 86a positioned clockwise from. thecut-back tooth 8611 engaged by tooth 9| enters notch 89 in disc 610.

Gear 55a. of counter wheel 68 has twenty teeth and these teeth mesh withthe teeth of pinion 86. Thus as the pinion 85 turns one-quarter of aturn or two teeth, gear 86a is moved a distance of two teeth or onedigit. As described hereinabove, when the fulllength teeth 86a, oftransfer pinion 88 are sliding on the sliding edge of sliding disc 67c,transfer pinion 86 is locked against rotation. Thus because gear 56a ofcounterwheel 66 is in engagement with the transfer pinion 86, counterwheel 58 is locked against rotation until a transfer takes place.Transfer pinion 85 (Figure l7) acts in a similar way to move counterwheel 8? the distance of one digit each time counter wheel 83 makes asingle revolution. Thus, each time counter wheel 08 makes a revolution,

counter wheel 6'! is moved one digit, and each time counter wheel 6!makes a revolution, counter wheel 66 is moved one digit, as indicated bythe numbers on the counter wheels.

Referring to Figures 9, 18, and 23, a pawl shaft 94 extends transverselyacross the loading device and is journaled in side walls 59 and 60. AU-shaped bracket, generally indicated at 95, including a center portion95a and a pair of legs 95b and 950 (Figures 9 and 18) is pivotallymounted on shaft 95, which passes through legs 95b and 950. As is bestshown in Figure 21, leg 950 extends outwardly into the loading devicebeneath ratchet wheel '12 and has a pawl 95d formed thereon. Pawl 95d isresiliently urged into Contact with ratchet wheel T2 by a leaf spring A98 having its outer end mounted on an ear 9'! (Figures 9 and 17)extending forwardly from side wall 59.

A second U-shaped bracket, generally indicated at 98 (Figures 18 and23), including a center portion 93a and a pair of legs 99?) and 980, ismounted on and keyed to shaft 94 by its legs 9% and 980. Leg 930 (Figure22) which is normally vertically positioned in the loading device has aportion 99 extending outwardly in the loading device. This portion has alocking pawl sea formed thereon positioned beneath ratchet wheel I3.Pawl 99a is resiliently held in contact with ratchet wheel I3 by a leafspring I08, the outer end of which is also mounted on ear 9?.

A third U-shaped bracket, generally indicated at IIlI, (Figures 9 and23) acts as zero look to prevent further operation of the loading devicewhen the counter wheels reach zero position. This bracket includes acenter portion IOIa, leg portions IOIb and IflIc, pivotally mounted onshaft 94 which extends through its leg portions IOIb and !Ic. Leg I01?)of bracket IllI is spaced from leg 98b of bracket 23 by a sleeve I02(Figure 23). The center portion IOIa of this bracket (Figures 9, l8, and20) extends outwardly into the loading device beneath counter wheels(36, 6?, and 63. Three locking fingers I03, I04, and I extend upwardlyfrom. the outer end of portion IOIa. of bracket IEII and are resilientlyheld in engagement with the peripheries of locking discs 66c, tile, and636, respectively, by a leaf spring I06 (Figures 9 and 18), the outerend of which is also secured to ear 91.

Each locking disc has a notch therein, such as notch I 07 (Figure 18) inthe locking disc 660. When all of the notches in the lockingv discs ofthe counter wheels are positioned in alignment with the upper ends offingers I03, I04, and I05, as is shown in Figure 20, then spring I08acts through bracket IQI to move the upper ends of fingers E03, 5M, and105 into the notches in their respective locking discs. The notches inthe locking discs reach this position when the zero digits are all atthe top of the counter wheels. When the loading device is beingunloaded, the sum on the register of the loading device is descending.Thus, when zero position is reached, the notch in looking disc 68aregisters with finger I 05 and further operation of the device isautomatically prevented because of the direct drive between handle SIand counter wheel 68. Before locking takes place, fingers H33, Iilt, and405 do not interfere with the operation of the device because as long asone finger is riding on the periphery of its locking disc, the zero lockcannot become effective.

Pawl (Figure 21) coacts with ratchet wheel '52 to preventcounterclockwise rotation of shaft G5. This is the direction in whichshaft turns during unloading of the loading device or the transfer ofthe load therein to the meter register. This pawl prevents unloading ofthe loading device when the loading device has not been mounted on themeter and conditioned for unloading. As will be fully describedhereinafter, this pawl is moved out of engagement with ratchet wheel '52during the time the loading device is being conditioned for the transferof the load to the meter.

As is best shown in Figure 20, side wall 59 has a portion extendingforwardly to form a support 5% This support carries the post ofiicelock, generally indicated at I09 (Figures 18 and 20). When the key IIOof this lock is turned, it turns a plate I08 (Figure 19) secured to theupper end of the lock cylinder. Plate I08 is turned in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in Figure 19, when the loading device is unlockedand this moves a downwardly extending arm I080. on plate I08 intocontact with the center portion 980, of bracket 98. Arm I08a cams centerportion 98a inwardly (Figure 19) or moves bracket 98 and shaft 94 in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 22. Pawl 99a, whichcoacts with ratchet wheel 13 to prevent clockwise movement of shaft 65,is thus moved out of engagement with ratchet wheel 13. Thus when theloading device is unlocked at the post office, the loading device may beloaded by turning the counter wheels in a counterclockwise direction, asviewed in Figure 18. When away from the post oflice and locked, pawl 99aand ratchet 13 prevent fraudulent loading of the loading device bypreventing movement of the counter wheels in this direction. However,because the counter wheels are turned in the opposite direction duringunloading, the loading device register is free to descend and then lookwhen zero position is reached.

Leg c of bracket 95 (Figures 9 and 21) has a lug I I2 formed thereonwhich extends forwardly beneath portion 99 (Figure 9) of bracket 98, andthe center portion IOIa of bracket IOI has a lug II 3 which extendsrearwardly beneath portion 99. Thus when portion 99 (Figure 22) is moveddownwardly, as described hereinabove, it strikes lugs H2 and H3 carryingpawl 95d out of engagement with ratchet 12 (Figure 21) and the fingersI03, I04, and I05 (Figure 20) on portion I Ia of bracket IOI out of thenotches in the locking discs of the counter wheels. Thus, when theloading device is unlocked at the post ofiioe by turning the key in lookI09, the pawls 95d and 990. are disengaged and the counter wheels arefreed so that the counter wheels may be turned in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Figure 18, to load the loading device. When thekey is turned (Figure19) to its locking position, pressure on the centerportion 98a of bracket 98 is released and the leaf springs 96, I00, andI06 (Figures 9, 21, and 22) place pawls 95d and 99a and locking fingersI03, I04, and I in operative condition.

Gear 68a of counter wheel 68 (Figure 18A) meshes with transfer pinion 84(Figures 1'7 and 17A) rotatably mounted on transfer pinion shaft I8.Pinion 84 (Figure 18A) meshes in turn with a gear I I4 (Figures 9 and18A) which is pivotally mounted on an ear II5 (Figures 18 and 23)extending upwardly from the forward edge of lock support 59 Gear II4(Figure 9) has a bevel pinion H8 secured thereto mounted on the sameshaft as gear II4. Bevel pinion II8 extends through a hole H9 in sidewall 60 and is positioned to permit its engagement with a pinion I23mounted on a transfer shaft I20. Transfer shaft I20 (Figures 9, 11, 19,and 20) is mounted for rotational movement in holes in an ear I2I(Figures 9 and 19) extending forwardly from side wall 60 adjacent thebottom (Figure 17) thereof and in channel-shaped bracket I22 (Figures 19and 20) vertically secured to side wall 60. Bevel pinion I23 isconnected to shaft I20 by a set screw I24 (Figure 11). A spring I25(Figures 9 and 19) extending between the outer surface of bracket I22and the inner surface of bevel pinion I23 resiliently urges bevel pinionI23 and thus shaft I20 outwardly or to the right, as viewed in Figure 9.

The inner end of shaft I20 has a lock, generally indicated at I26(Figure 19), connected thereto to prevent rotation of transfer shaft I20until shaft I20 is keyed through the lock to the meter transfermechanism. This lock includes a spindle 393 connected to the inner endof shaft I20 by a pin 400. The outer end of spindle 399 extends througha hole MI in a base plate 404 and is free to rotate with respectthereto. Base plate 404 is connected to an annular ring 402 which inturn is connected to the cylindrical lock casing 403 by a pin (notshown). Base plate 404 has a lug 404a thereon (Figures, 11, 11A, and 19)which extends forwardly between a pair of fingers I22a and i222) (Figure11A) formed on and extending inwardly from bracket I22 (Figure 19). Asshaft I20 is moved inwardly and outwardly, lug 404a is always positionedin the slot between fingers 122a and I22b and thus casing 403, baseplate 404, and ring 402 are locked against rotation.

Spindle 399 is locked against rotation by pins 405 which extend out ofbores in ring 402 into bores in the enlarged portion of spindle 399. Acylindrically shaped key I63 (Figure 12) on the meter acts on a separateset of pins 406 (Figures 19 and 23) to move pins 405 outwardly againstthe action of springs 4050. to positions where they no longer engage theenlarged portion of spindle 399. At this time spindle 390 is free to bedriven by shaft I20 and the driving connection with the 10 meter isestablished by a lug I63a (Figure 12 on cylindrically shaped key I63which engages a slot 4I0 in a cylindrically shaped member 409 connectedto spindle 339 by a pin 400. Thus shaft I20 is locked against rotationuntil lock I26 is unlocked by key I63.

Lug 404a after passing between fingers I22a and I222) (Figure 11A)extends forwardly into a slot I28 (Figure 11) in a locking plate,generally indicated at I29. Locking plate I29 is slidably mounted forvertical movement with respect to the loading device on the frontportion I22c (Figures 9 and 19) of bracket I22 by a pair of shoulderbolts II I and M2 (Figure 11). Bolts 4| I and M2 extend through verticalslots I30 and I3I in plate I29. Locking plate I29 has a portion I23a(Figure 23) which extends rearwardly from the inner edge of the lockingplate across the inner face of bracket I22. This ortion has a cam slotI32 cut therein which coacts with a key I33 formed on a key shaft I34 toactuate locking plate I29.

Key shaft I34 is rotatabl mounted in holes in an ear I35 (Figure 11)extending forwardly from the outer edge of side wall 50 and in bracketI22. Bracket I22 has a slot I22d (Figure 23) therein to accommodate keyI33 and thus permit inward and outward movement of shaft I34. When theloading device is disconnected from the meter, shaft I34 is in theposition shown in Figure 11. After the loading device is locked to themeter by counterclockwise movement of the locking plate 40 (Figure 13)hole 58 is clear and the key shaft I34 may be moved inwardly or to theright, as viewed in Figure 11. It moves a suflicient distance so thatthe left end of key I33 clears bracket I22, thus making key shaft I34(Figure 11B) free to turn. As Shaft I34 (Figure 23) is turned, key I33cams locking plate I29 downwardly' positioning lug 404a (Figure 11) inthe horizontal section of slot I28.

This frees lock I26 (Figures 9 and 11) and thus transfer shaft I20 sothat they may both be moved inwardly until bevel pinion I23 meshes withbevel pinion II8 (Figure 19). At this time, the key shaft I34 (Figure23) is turned an additional amount in a counterclockwise direction, asviewed in Figure 23, and lug 404a (Figure 11) is then positioned in theupwardly extending portion I28a of slot I28 (Figures 11 and 11E). Thislooks the transfer shaft in an inward position in which the bevelpinions are in mesh.

Locking plate I29 has an additional function in that it moves pawl d outof engagement with ratchet wheel 22 (Figure 21). Leg 951) (Figure 9) ofbracket 95 has a portion 420 extending forwardly therefrom through aslot MI in side wall 60. Portion 420 (Figure 23) is positioned beneaththe lower edge of the rearwardly extending portion I29a of locking plateI29, and thus as looking plate I29 moves downwardly, it strikes portion420 moving bracket 95 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed inFigure 21, to disengage pawl 05d from ratchet wheel I2. This frees shaft65 so that the counter wheels may be moved in a clockwise direction, asviewed in Figure 18, and the load in the loading device may then betransferred from counter wheel gear 08a through gear 84 (Figure 18A),gear H4 (Figure 19), bevel pinions I I8 and I23, and shaft I20 into themeter.

When key shaft I34 is turned in a clockwise direction, as viewed inFigure 23, a spring I3! connected by a bracket I38 (Figure 11) to theforwardly extending portion 3011 (Figure 20) of side wall 00 andconnected to a pin I353 on looking plate I29 moves locking plate I29upwardly. This moves lug 494a (Figure 11) into the horizontal portion ofslot I28. At this time spring I 25 (Figures 9 and 19) moves shaft 29 tothe right, as viewed in Figure 19, breaking the connection between bevelpinions H1 and I23. When the lug 494a (Figure 11) reaches the lefthandend of slot I28 (Figure 11) spring I31 pulls the locking plate I29upwardly so that lug 494a is positioned in the downwardly extendingportion of slot I28. This again locks the transfer shaft I29 againstmovement inwardly into the meter.

As described hereinabove, after the loading device is locked in positionon the meter 3I, key shaft I34 (Figure 1) is moved inwardly by means ofits handle I 49, which at this time occupies the position in which it isshown in Figure 1. At this time the cylindrically shaped key I4l(Figures 11 and 13) enters a cylindrically shaped key slot I42 (Figure12) in a lock, generally indicated at I43, mounted on the side wall I44of the meter. This lock has a cylinder I45 which is freed from the lockcasing I46 by key I4I. A slot I41 (Figure 12) is formed in cylinder I45and this coacts with a lug I4Ia (Figure 13) on key I4I so that When keyshaft I34 is turned, the cylinder I45 of lock I43 turns with it. LookI43 (Figure '1) is mounted in a rectangular shaped block I61 secured tothe side wall I44 of the meter.

Key shaft I34 is turned approximately one-half of a revolution in acounterclockwise direction (Figure 23) in actuating locking plate I29,and thus a gear segment I48 (Figure 5) connected to the inner end oflock cylinder I45 also makes one-half a revolution in a counterclockwisedirection. This movement of gear segment I48 moves a Geneva rack slide,generally indicated at I49 (Figure 5) upwardly, and this rack slide actsthrough a yoke, generally indicated at I69 (Figures '7 and 9) to movetransfer pinion I6I (Figures 6 and '1) to a position where it does notlock counter wheel I8I against rotation. Movement of Geneva rack slideI49 also acts through a, portion thereof to move a shutter, generallyindicated at I62 (Figure 12), and thus expose a key I63 through whichthe load is transferred from the loading device to the meter registervia transfer shaft I29. Movement of Geneva rack slide I49 also moves alocking pin I 64 (Figures 6, 8, and 9) out of engagement with a notch inlooking disc I65.

Geneva rack slide I49 (Figure '1) is mounted between block I61 and asupport I59 which is also secured at I5I to the side wall I44 of themeter. The Geneva rack portion I 49a (Figures 5, 7, and 10) of Genevarack slide I49 extends forwardly over the inner face of lock I61 and theU-shaped body of the slide I49 includes a center portion I'49b whichextends outwardly adjacent the rear face of block I61 and two legportions I49c and I49d. A slot I52 is provided between the meter sidewall I44 and support I59 to accommodate portion I49d of rack I49.Support I59 has an inwardly extending portion I'59a, the forward surfaceof which is spaced from and parallel to block I61. This forms a verticalslot between block I61 and support I59 to accommodate the center portionI49b of Geneva rack slide I49. The other leg portion I490 of slide I49extends rearwardly in the same plane as the Geneva rack portion 549a ofthe slide.

As is best shown in Figure 12, leg portion I49d includes a pair ofrearwardly extending arms I68 and I 69 rhavingaslottherebetween. Theshutter I82 is pivotally mounted on the side 'wall of the meter-by ashoulder screw Hi. This shutter has a pin I19 (Figures 19 and 12)thereon which extends inwardly between arms I68 and -I'69,'and as armsI68 and I69 move upwardly with Geneva rack slide I49, shutter I62uncovers key I63 and when the slide moves in the reverse direction, theshutter covers the key.

A yoke, generally indicated at I69 (Figure 9), includes a pair of rodsI14 and I11 connected by a bar I18. Rods I14 and I11 are mounted forsliding movement with respect to the meter in holes in meter supportingplate I18 and meter end wall I15. Rod I14 has a pin I13 which coactswith a cam slot I12 (Figures 5 and 10) in portion I490 of slide I49 tomove rod I14 and thus yoke I69 forwardly and rearwardly with respect tothe meter. Thus, as slide I49 is moved upwardly by gear segment I48, camslot I12 (Figures 5 and 19) acts upon pin I13 to move yoke I69rearwardly, and when the slide I49 is moved downwardly, then shifteryoke I69 is moved forwardly.

Shifter rod I11 (Figure 9) has secured thereto a yoke, generallyindicated at I19, the arms H911 and H91) of which extend upwardly onopposite sides of transfer pinion I6I (Figure '1). This pinion is freelymounted on shaft 439 and normally acts as the transfer pinion betweenthe dollars counter wheel I89 and the tens of dollars counter wheel IBIin the meter. Transfer pinion I9I is of similar construction to thetransfer pinions in the loading device and thus is normally preventedfrom rotating because two of its four full-size teeth I82 ride on theperiphery of a Geneva sliding disc I83. As shifter yoke I 69 movesrearwardly, it acts through arms HM and I191) of yoke I19 (Figure 7) tomove transfer pinion I6I rearwardly (downwardly in Figure 1) and thusmove the full-size teeth I82 out of contact with the disc I83. Thispermits pinion I6I which engages the gear I8 Ia of counter wheel NH andwhich before was locked against rotation by Geneva slide disc I83 to berotated freely as counter wheel I8I is turned.

As will be described fully hereinafter, shaft I84 (Figures 6, 8, and 9)turns with transfer shaft 129 when a load is being transferred from theloading device to the meter. Shaft I84 has a looking disc I95 securedthereto which, when a load transfer is not being made, is positioned ina recessed portion I61a (Figure 6) of block I61. Locking disc I65 has aseries of notches I65a (Figure 8) therein which coact with a bolt I64 toprevent rotation of disc I65 and thus shaft I 84. Bolt I64 is mountedfor horizontal movement in cut-out portions in block I61, side wall I44,andplate 34 (Figures 6 and 8) and this bolt has a forwardly extendingportion I64a which enters one of the notches I85a. in locking disc I65when the bolt is in the position shown in Figures 6 and 8. Bolt I64 alsohas a rearwardly extending pin I64b thereon which coacts with a cam slotI85 (Figure 6) in the center portion I491) (Figure 7) of Geneva rackslide I49 to move bolt I64 outwardly and inwardly as the cam slot israised and lowered. Thus, as gear segment I48 moves Geneva rack slideI49 upwardly (Figures 5 and 10), cam slot I85 coacts with pin I64?) tomove bolt I64 outwardly (Figure 9) and thus free its forwardly extendingportion I 94a from looking disc. I65. This frees shaft I84. When theGeneva rack slide is moved. in theopposite direction, bolt I64 is movedinwardly where it coacts with a. notch I65a in disc I65 to again lockshaft I84 13 against rotation. This prevents rotation of shaft I84 whenthe meter has not been conditioned for operation by key MI on key shaftI6 1 (Figure 11) Operation of the meter during loading is prevented bythe action of Geneva rack I66 (Figure 5). This rack has a body portionI660; (Figures 5 and. 7) which is mounted between the forward side ofblock I6'I (Figure '7) and a bracket I6l. Body portion [66a has a rackportion I661) extending rearwardly from body portion I66a over the innerface of block I6'I (Figures 5 and "I) and a finger I660 which lies inthe same plane as rack portion I661) and extends downwardly from thebody portion I66a of the Geneva rack. A bracket I86 (Figures 5, 5A, andis mounted on the side wall I44 of the meter and its forward surfaceI86a (Figures 5A and 10) is in alignment with the forward surface ofblock I61. Bracket I66 coacts with block I61 to form supports for Genevarack I66 (Figure 5). Bracket I8! (Figures 5 and '7), which is secured toside wall I44 and has portions I8Ia (Figures 5 and 7) and I8Ib (Figure5A) following the contour of Geneva rack I66, holds the rack in positionon block I61 and bracket I86.

During loading and also when the loading device is disconnected from themeter, Geneva rack I66 (Figure 5) is held in a downward position by thecoaction of rack I66 and gear segment I 58. When rack I66 is in adownward or locked position, its finger I660 acts on a projection Itiiaon a collar I88 secured to control shaft Iii-)2 to hold shaft I492turned in a clockwise direction (Figure 5) against the action of aspring 866 resiliently urging movement of shaft I692 in the oppositedirection. Control shaft I662, which forms a part of the mechanism ofthe meter shown in the above-mentioned patent, has a locking finger I63I(Figures 3 and 3A) mounted thereon. Locking finger I53I coacts with alooking notch I533 formed in a locking collar I534 keyed to countershaftI644. Countershaft lt 'I I is geared to the main driving shaft of themeter and thus when countershaft III-Mi is prevented from turning, themeter cannot be run. Thus,

when rack I66 (Figure 5) is positioned in a downward or locked position,finger I66 acts through collar I68 and shaft I492 to hold look-- ingfinger I53I in the locking notch I533 of looking collar I 534, thuspreventing rotation of shaft I644. When gear segment I58 (Figure 5) isturned one-half of a revolution in a counterclockwise direction from theposition shown in Figure 5, to condition the meter for loading, rack I66is not moved and thus the meter is locked against operation duringloading. Thus, referring to Figure 1, key III) is turned in thedirection of the word Load to condition the meter for loading. After theload has been transferred from the loading device to the meter, then keyhandle I40 (Figure 1) is turned approximately a revolution in acounterclockwise direction (Figure 1) from the Load position of gearsegment I48. This positions key handle It (Figure 1) in a Run position.As gear segment MI) is turned in a clockwise direction (Figure 5) from aLoad position to a Run position, the descending register is firstconditioned for operation as rack I49 is moved downwardly to theposition it occupies in Figure 5. Continued movement of gear segment ISin a clockwise direction next moves rack I66 upwardly, relieving thepressure of finger I660 on projection ItBa. lhis permits shaft I692 tobe turned by the spring means described herein above in a counterclocbconnected to th framework of the meter.

wise direction (Figure 5), thus moving finger I53I out of notch I533(Figure 3A) and freeing the meter for operation. The loading device maybe removed from the meter at any time, but whenever it is, gear segmentI46 must be turned to the position it occupies in Figure 5 before thekey shaft I34 may be withdrawn from the meter. Thus the meter is alwayslooked during loading and when the loading device is not mounted on themeter.

As described hereinabove, the meter is conditioned for loading byturning key M6 (Figure 1) in a Load direction from its Ofl' position.After key shaft I3 3 (Figure 1) has been turned in a Load direction acertain distance, lug IMa (Figure 11) is positioned in the horizontalportion of slot I28 and thus transfer shaft I26 (Figure 9) may bepressed inwardly. Inward movement of transfer shaft I26 is permittedbecause during the turning of key shaft i3 2, Geneva rack slide ltd(Figure 10) moves shutter I62 (Figure 12) to uncover key I63. Ascylindrically shaped key I63 (Figure 9) enters lock I26 because of theinward movement of shaft I26, it frees spindle 669 (Figure 19) from itslocked position. Lug I63a on key I63 (Figure 12) enters slot H6 (Figure19) in member 366 to form a driving connection between spindle 596 andkey I63. As spindle 369 is directly connected to the transfer shaft I26,a driving connection is thus formed between shaft I26 and key I63. KeyI63 (Figure 9) is slidably mounted in block I61 and is connected toshaft its. The other end of this shaft is slidably mounted in a bore I66formed in a bracket IQI Bore I66 has a ball I62 therein resilientlypressed against the inner end of shaft Hit by a spring I93. When shaftI26 is pressed inwardly into engagement with key I63, member $69 (Figure19) seats in key I83 (Figure 9). Further movement of the shaft I26inwardl moves shaft IM to the left, as viewed in Figure 9, againstspring I63 until a bevel pinion I66 connected to shaft I85 meshes with abevel pinion I rotatably mounted on a bracket I66 secured to the meterframework. Bevel pinion I95 is connected to a gear IEI'I (Figures 6 and9) which meshes with the carry-over gear ISIa (Figures 6 and 7) ofcounter wheel ISI. Thus as shaft I26 (Figure 9) turns, a drivingconnection between this shaft and counter wheel I6I (Figures 6 and '7)is made by the engagement of lock I26 (Figure 9) and key I65, bevelpinions I96 and I95, and gear III'I. By the inward movement of shaft I26(Figure 11) lug Alida is positioned at the inner end of slot I26. Keyshaft I34 is then turned the rest of its half revolution to position lug466a in the upwardly extending portion little of slot I26. Thus lock I26is held in engagement with key I63 by lug 664a (Figures 9 and 11) aslong as the transferring operation continues. When th parts are in thisposition, the extremity of key I33 (Figure 23) rests against the bottomof cam slot I52 to hold locking plate I29 in its lower position (Figure11D).

As described hereinabove, when handle III is turned in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in Figure ll, counter wheel gear 680. (Figure 18A)also turns in a clockwise direction. Gear 68a is connected with gear I II (Figure 18A) through pinion 84, and gear II I acting through bevelinions I I6 and IE3 1%) drives shaft I26. The meter tens counter wheelIEII (Figure 7) is driven from shaft I26 through the connectionsdescribed hereinabove. Each time counter whee IBI makes a l completerevolution (Figure 7), transfer pinion I99 moves the hundreds of dollarswheel 2% one digit and each time the hundreds of dollars wheel makes acomplete revolution, it acts through transfer pinion 29! to move thethousands of dollars wheel 292 one digit.

The gears and pinions described hereinabove are geared to insure thecorrect transferof a sum from the loading device to the meter register.Counter wheel gear 68a (Figure 18A) is provided with twent teeth or twofor each digit. This gear meshes with a transfer pinion 84 carryingeight teeth and thus each time pinion 84 makes a revolution, counterwheel 68 moves four digits. Gear 8 3 meshes with gear IHl carryingtwelve teeth and thus gear H4 makes two-thirds of a revolution for eachrevolution of gear 84. Bevel pinion H8 has twelve teeth (Figure 19) andpinion I23 has sixteen. Thus as pinion I8 makes two-thirds of arevolution with gear H5, pinion H8 turns a distance of eight teeth eachtime and pinion 123 and shaft I20 make one-half of a revolution. Thus,one-half of a revolution of shaft I29 is the equivalent of four digitson the loader register.

Pinion I9 2 (Figure 9) on shaft 24, which turns with shaft I20, hassixteen teeth and this meshes with pinion I95 having twelve teeth. Thus,one-half of a revolution of shaft I 84 results in two-thirds of arevolution of pinion I95. Gear I91, which turns with pinion 595, hastwelve teeth and thus is turned a distance of eight teeth each timetransfer pinion 84 (Figure 18A) makes a revolution. As gear I9? mesheswith counter wheel gear l8la (Figure 6), having twenty teeth, two teethrepresenting one digit, counter wheel IBI is moved a distance of fourdigits which is the same amount that counter wheel 68 moves each timepinion a l makes a revolution. Thus suitable gearing is provided toaccurately transfer the sum loaded into the loading device from theloading device into the meter register.

Suitable mechanism is provided to prevent the meter register from beingoverloaded. This includes a pin 6GB (Figure 'l) on counter wheel A 202which strikes a stop Bill when the 9 on this counter wheel is positionedat the top of the register. If this construction were not included, aperson might purchase more postage than could be loaded in the registerof the meter. For example, if the maximum the register will hold is$9,999.99 and there was $3,060 on the register and a person tried toload $8,000 into the register, then the register would be turned pastthe $9,999.99 reading to a reading of $1,080. This would mean a loss tothe user of $10,000. Pin 66% and stop 60! prevent this because when theregister has reached $9,999.99, it isnt possible to load any morepostage into the register.

Referring to Figures 11 and 17A, a locking bracket, generally indicatedat 2G3, is provided to insure that a load is completely transferred tothe meter register before the loading device can be disconnected fromthe meter or the meter conditioned for operation. Bracket 253, which isU-shaped, includes a center portion 2% and a pair of legs 205 and 296(Figure 17A). Leg 206 has a yoke formed on its end including a centerportion 288a and legs 2961) and 2%0. Legs 20Gb and 2060 mount bracket203 on transfer pinion shaft 78. Bracket 2B8 extends outwardly aroundthe outer end of side wall Eli from its point of connection to shaft l8and then its leg 205 curves under transfer pinion shaft 13, as is "estshown in Figure 13. '1 1e inner end of leg 285 is positioned beneath alug IUId (Figures 9 and 18) extending outwardly from the outerend ofcenter portion IUIa of zero lock bracket IGI. Aspring 252'? (Figure 17)connected to the center portion 2M of bracket 2213 and to spacer Itresiliently urges movement of bracket 2113 in a clockwise direction, asviewed in Figure 18, about shaft '18 as a pivot point. Thus, spring 2%resiliently holds the inner end of leg 235 in contact with the undersurface of lug IllId.

Referring to Figure 1'7, leg 2050 of bracket 203 has an arm 2B9extending upwardly therefrom. This arm has an inwardly curved finger '2)'on its upper end which coacts with a collar 2 secured to key shaft I3(Figure 11) when key shaft 134 is moved to its inner position (Figure11B). Collar 2II is provided with a pair of notches 2i Ia and 2| lb(Figure 1'7). When shaft 134 is first moved inwardly (Figure 113),finger 2) is positioned in notch ZIIb. As shaft I34 is moved in aclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure l7,finger 2H3 (Figure 1113)strikes cam surface 2I2 of notch 2| Ib,'and this surface cams finger 2It to the right, as viewed in Figure 11B, against the tension of spring201 so that finger is resiliently pressed against the right-hand side ofcollar 2H (Figure 11C).

After key shaft I34 has been turned one-half of a revolution or to aLoad position (Figure 1113), spring 201, which is resiliently urgingmovement of bracket 2GI 'in a counter clockwise direction, causes finger'2Itl to enter notch 2| lo. Further movement of bracket 203 in acounterclockwise direction (Figure 111)) this time is prevented by leg255 (Figure 18) which is in contact with the under surface of lug IDIdon bracket lei. Finger 2H}, because of its position in notch 2i la,prevents turning of key shaft I34 in either direction and thus theloading device may not be removed from the meter. As describedhereinabove, when the counter wheels reach zero position, the zero lockbracket WI (Figure 18) moves upwardly as its fingers I03, I EM, and i855(Figure 20) enter the notches in the zero lock discs of the counterwheels. When center portion IEiIa of zero lock bracket IBI movesupwardly, spring '29? pulls bracket 20f in a counterclockwise direction(Figure 11E). This moves finger 21s out of notch 2 I Ia, thusfreeing keyshaft i234 so that the shaft 13 maybe turned in the Run direction(Figure 1) to condition the register for registration and unlock themeter. Thus bracket 2% coacts with collar 2 to insure transfer of thecomplete load from the loading device before the loader can be removed.As described above, the meter is looked as long as a load is beingtransferred to the meter. Consequently, the meter is looked until theentire load is transferred thereto. When the loading device is reloaded,finger 210 is moved to an uglright position again (Figure 11) by bracketSuitable mechanism is provided both in the meter and in the loadingdevice for making a record directly from the counter wheels of the meterand the loading device registers. The record is made on a card,generally indicated at L'I3 (Figure l), which includes'a body portion213a and a tongue portion 2131), on which recordings are made from themeter register and from the loader register, respectively. The card 2 i3is inserted in a slot (not shown) in the righthand side wall of themeter, as viewed in Figure 1, and this slot is in alignment with achute, generally indicated at 2M (Figure 27), which

